STUART HOGG freely admits that he is a poor footballing imitation of his superstar relative George Best.

‘‘I have got the touch of a baby elephant,’’ said Scotland full-back Hogg, ahead of his British and Irish Lions debut against the Barbarians tomorrow.

But the Lions will hope Hogg can weave some of the magic that made him a standout performer during this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship when they target a winning start to their tenmatch tour of Hong Kong and Australia.

The 20-year-old discovered last season that Manchester United and Northern Ireland football legend Best, who died in 2005, is related to him.

‘‘It was after I was capped in Wales,’’ Hogg told reporters today.

‘‘My dad’s parents both died when they were relatively young, and he has always wanted to find out his family history.

‘‘When I got capped, the Irish relatives got in touch with my dad, and he was in tears on the phone. To meet all the Irish relatives was pretty amazing, and it is amazing that has come about due to rugby.

‘‘My dad (former Hawick full-back John Hogg) is Scottish, but my granny was Irish and off the Best side. It is a pretty amazing feeling to find out you are related in some way, maybe distant, to him. It’s pretty cool.

‘‘I’ve been on YouTube a few times and watched some clips of him. He was some character, by the sound of things.’’ Despite being just 15 caps into his Scotland career, Hogg is rated among the most exciting young players in European rugby, and he is determined to savour every minute of the Lions experience.

‘‘It is quite surreal when you are putting on Lions Tshirts, looking at the badge and you are thinking ’I’m not here as a supporter, I’m here as a player,’’’ he added.

‘‘I find myself very fortunate to be here as a player. I am enjoying it, and I am looking forward to learning a lot on the tour.

‘‘It’s pretty surreal being here, but I’ve got myself here on good performances, and I am hoping to continue that form. It’s an exciting couple of months ahead.

‘‘I’ve got nothing to lose to be honest. Everybody is expecting Leigh (Halfpenny) to be the starting (Test team) number 15, and I will push him all the way to get that starting spot.

‘‘But at the end of the day it’s good for me to have guys like that you can learn off.

Rob Kearney as well, learning how they play 15, adapting to how they play and hopefully learning a lot from them.’’